For most people, a home is one of the biggest investments they’ll ever make. As a homeowner, you need to take good care of your home to keep it in the best condition possible and ensure you’re getting the most value for your money.

When doing regular maintenance and repairs, one aspect that a lot of homeowners tend to overlook is the foundation. Foundation problems need to be addressed right away to prevent major structural damage. To help you identify if your foundation has an issue, here are the top eight signs your foundation needs repair. 

1. Sticky Doors and Windows 

When the doors and windows of your home might start sticking, excess humidity might be causing the wood in the windows and doors to expand, hindering them from closing properly. But if you don’t live in a highly humid area, this problem is most likely caused by your home’s foundation. Doors and windows may stick when the foundation moves or shifts.

When you’re certain the sticking windows and doors are due to an issue with your home’s foundation, you need to schedule a foundation repair service immediately. 

2. Cracks In the Drywall 

Small vertical cracks and fissures around one-sixteenth of an inch are fairly common and aren’t a sign of any significant problem. However, if you see bigger, horizontal, or stair-step-patterned cracks, these might be a cause for concern.  Cracks due to foundation issues are usually caused by gradual structural movement, unbalanced settlement, or poor soil quality.  

3. Poor Water Drainage 

Water is one of the most common culprits for foundation damage. Excessive water can cause the soil below your home to expand, subsequently placing more pressure on the foundation and walls. Keep a close eye on the drainage around your home to spot possible drainage and foundation problems in advance.  

One way of identifying drainage issues is by inspecting the areas surrounding your home for wet soil. If the soil is wet and it hasn’t rained in the last few days, it’s a sign of a drainage problem.  

4. Uneven Floors 

Uneven floors are usually caused by the movement of the foundation soil. They could also be due to insufficient waterproofing of your foundation—the structure might be letting in water, causing the floor to twist. If you can easily roll an object on your home’s floor, you might need to schedule a foundation repair right away. 

5. Bowing Walls 

If the walls of your home are bowing, they’re a clear sign of a serious issue. Bowed walls are typically caused by moving soil below the foundation, which leads to poor water drainage and hydrostatic pressure. This movement causes the foundation to move out of place and consequently pushes the frame that keeps your house firmly in place. 

When repairing a bowed wall that’s moved over three inches, a professional foundation repair contractor will need to install wall anchors to straighten and stabilize the walls. If there’s a flooding issue or a leaky pipe, the contractor might have to dig out and rebuild an entire section of the foundation.   

6. Movement of Cabinets 

If the walls of your home are slowly detaching from the cabinets, this is enough reason to take a look at the foundation. The walls might be moving because the foundation shifted the walls to a different position. As a result, gaps slowly start to appear between the cabinets and the walls. If the size of these gaps is half an inch or bigger, there could be a severe problem with the foundation. 

7. Sagging Ceilings 

The movement of your home’s foundation will, over time, start to cause the movement of other house components such as the walls and beams. If this persists, your home will start to move and sit unevenly, thereby affecting the stability of the ceilings and floors. When this begins to happen, your home definitely needs a foundation repair. 

8. Door Gaps 

Door gaps may start showing because the foundation is moving, so it needs to be leveled to prevent sinking. The foundation may start sinking due to ground movement, drainage issues, and poor construction. 

Takeaway 

Many homeowners only notice the foundation when an issue has escalated. Your neglect  may lead to structural damage and compromise the safety and well-being of your loved ones. To ensure it doesn’t get to such a point, take note of the common signs listed in this article.